'Make It OK' to talk about mental illness, end stigma

Apr. 25—The "Make It OK" campaign, led by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, has released tools and resources for employers across the state to raise awareness and take steps to end the stigma during May which is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Make It OK is a community campaign to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness, according to campaign officials. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed every May since 1949 and is a globally-recognized event first started by Mental Health America.

A mental illness is:

—A medical condition disrupting an individual's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.

—Common. Nearly one out of five Americans live with a mental illness.

—Treatable. Most illnesses can be treated effectively with medication, therapy, diet, exercise and support. Recovery is possible.

"If Iowa workplaces aren't putting an emphasis on mental health within their organizations, May is a great time to start or recommit to starting the conversation," Jami Haberl, executive director of the Healthiest State Initiative, said in a news release. "Workplaces benefit from creating a culture that protects and supports the mental health of employees."

The 2022 Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit, designed for use by individuals and workplaces, invites Iowans to Make It OK in May with:

—Links to Make It OK and mental health resources

—Social media posts and graphics

—Outreach communication templates

—Make It OK posters

—Make It OK Stories: The Podcast

Iowa employers also are invited year-round to sign up as a Make It OK registered workplace and receive access to a comprehensive employer toolkit to support their efforts to de-stigmatize mental illness within their organizations.

Globally, workplaces lose an estimated $1 trillion each year due to employees dealing with mental illness impacting their productivity, according to the news release.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com

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